PHILOSOPHY - DEMOCRACY 9: Representative Democracy

In this Wireless Philosophy video, Geoff Pynn (Elgin Community College) talks about the idea of representative democracy, a system in which democratic citizens vote for representatives who make complex policy decisions on their behalf. But how democratic is a representative democracy, really? One of John Stuart Mill’s arguments in defense of representative democracy vs. direct democracy is that it addresses Plato’s concern about the qualifications of ordinary citizens to make wise policy decisions, but still promotes democratic citizenship, which benefits society as a whole. How then can we ensure that elected representatives really do serve the public interest?
View our Democracy learning module and other videos in this series here: www.wi-phi.com

[@ChrisKeziahHyde]

The best form of government and democracy is one where there is no true majority but a bipartisan collective where ideas are debated, amended and ascended to law but giving every viewpoint a fair and reasonable outcome. So sometimes it can be economically conservative but socially liberal and vice versa. It's not perfect but it's a way of solving the left/right pendulum swing.

[@ShaunCKennedyAuthor]

decision was made, they will be held responsible for it. Then in issues that are not so clear-cut, the process slows down. If a vocal minority are calling for a change to a sacred and beloved tradition, then the top three can open the subject to the main floor. If it turns out later that the reason for wanting a change was more immediate, there may be consequences to that. It also allows citizens to vote in a very nuanced way. You aren’t voting for people, your deciding if they made good decisions. At every job I’ve ever had, my annual review and therefore the decision to give me a raise or fire me is based on the things I’ve done, not on the things I’m promising to do. I’m responsible in that review for my own activity, not the activity of my committee. If I descent from a decision that’s popular at the time and that turns out to have been the right decision, that comes up in my annual review. If I descended and the majority was right, that comes up too. The past is the most reliable indicator of the future we have ever had. Yet all of this is the exact opposite of our current elections process, where the promises and party loyalty are what are judged.

[@LeeEnfield-iw3qk]

Democracy, Four pillars (not three) of modern Democracy = Executive, Legislature, Judiciary & Media.

[@AudioPervert1]

Casting a vote equates to a game that people play with themselves, over and over again. Do you see the cup ½ empty instead of ½ full? Do you see the cup at least? Will your choice win or loose? Will x or y strategy win? This form of strategic voting, democracy and speculation is bound to effect mental health. Subvert and perhaps limit our objective view of reality. Every five years or every time the system calls for a vote. Over generations, then regardless if one is Indian or Mexican or French, this type of voting and democracy negatively impacts mental health. Over a long period of time, people are bound to suffer from this way of thinking (decision making). Even if I vote with my conscience and what I actually believe, it makes no difference to the eventual outcome. Now, I care about my country am I am NOT saying that you should not vote. Our mental health is connected to how well we manage (navigate) our reality. I cannot help correlate, that many of my friends and peers increasingly take medication, to combat their respective mental health "conditions". Some prefer weekly blahblahblah sessions with a psychiatrist. Some also drink heavy or consume another substance of choice. Willy nilly that takes us back to mental health. My father died at the age of 88 and his daily medication included six different pills, most of them as means to stabilize his mental health. My argument can be summed up here - that voting (and all that surrounds it) and mental health are two things interlinked. And mental health is more important than voting (participation in democracy). I believe, that better mental health gives us the ability to see the opportunities in life, instead of seeing threats, speculations and risks. Hence, have you ever thought that how you vote may influence your mental health in the long run? To make it very simple - Next time, vote if you may - but for the person/party that aligns with your beliefs & worldview. And our beliefs and worldview both are much in need of change, diversity and progress. Maybe I too will cast a vote with that same reasoning one day. Thank you for reading.